The Gilded Garland Dish Towel: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Festive, Textured Kitchen Essential
Introducing the Gilded Garland Dish Towel
Elevate your holiday kitchen with this elegant, textured dish towel featuring a delicate garland motif and a touch of golden shimmer. Knit in soft, absorbent cotton, this pattern is both practical and a joy to display. The subtle gold slipped-stitch pattern creates a festive diamond garland across the center, while the crisp white body keeps it modern and versatile. Whether you're an experienced knitter looking for a quick holiday project or a beginner ready for a fun challenge, this free pattern will help you create a kitchen essential that's as beautiful as it is functional.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (100% mercerized cotton; 100g/186 yds per skein) - 1 skein each of White (MC) and Gold (CC), or similar worsted weight cotton yarn.
- Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles.
- Other: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, crochet hook (for fringe, optional), scissors, tape measure or ruler.
- Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch, after blocking. Important: Take time to check your gauge for best results.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Finished Size
Approximately 18 inches wide x 28 inches long, including fringe.
Abbreviations
- CO: Cast on
- K: Knit
- P: Purl
- St(s): Stitch(es)
- RS: Right side
- WS: Wrong side
- Rep: Repeat
- BO: Bind off
- wyib: With yarn in back
- wyif: With yarn in front
Pattern Notes
- The towel is worked flat from the bottom up.
- The garland motif is created using a simple slipped stitch pattern with the gold yarn (CC).
- Fringe is added after finishing.
- Always slip stitches purlwise unless otherwise stated.
Instructions
Cast On & Bottom Border
With MC (White), CO 90 sts.
Border (worked in Garter stitch):
- Row 1 (RS): Knit across.
- Row 2 (WS): Knit across.
- Rep Rows 1-2 two more times (4 rows total).
Body (Stockinette stitch with garland motif)
Row 1 (RS): K4 (border), K82, K4 (border).
Row 2 (WS): K4, P82, K4.
Rep Rows 1-2 until piece measures 6 inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
Garland Motif Section
Note: The garland pattern uses slipped stitches to create a diamond effect. Keep yarn tension even when slipping.
- Row 1 (RS, MC): K4, K82, K4.
- Row 2 (WS, MC): K4, P82, K4.
- Row 3 (RS, CC): K4, *slip 1 wyib, K1* rep from * to * until 4 sts remain, K4. (Slip sts purlwise with yarn in back)
- Row 4 (WS, CC): K4, *slip 1 wyif, P1* rep from * to * until 4 sts remain, K4. (Slip sts purlwise with yarn in front)
- Row 5 (RS, MC): K4, K82, K4.
- Row 6 (WS, MC): K4, P82, K4.
- Row 7 (RS, CC): K4, *K1, slip 1 wyib* rep from * to * until 4 sts remain, K4.
- Row 8 (WS, CC): K4, *P1, slip 1 wyif* rep from * to * until 4 sts remain, K4.
Rep Rows 1-8 three more times (4 garland repeats total).
Continue Body
Rep Rows 1-2 of Body section until piece measures 24 inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
Top Border
- Row 1 (RS): Knit across.
- Row 2 (WS): Knit across.
- Rep Rows 1-2 two more times (4 rows total).
Bind Off
Bind off loosely (knitwise) on RS. Tip: Use a larger needle or a loose tension to ensure the edge doesn't pull in.
Finishing
Weave in all ends using a yarn needle. Block to finished measurements (18" x 28") by wetting or steaming gently and pinning to shape. Allow to dry completely.
Fringe
Cut 12-inch lengths of MC. For each fringe, fold 2 strands in half, insert crochet hook through edge stitch at bottom of towel, pull loop through, and pull ends through loop. Tighten. Add fringe evenly across the cast-on edge, spacing about every 4th stitch. Trim fringe to 2 inches.
Your Gilded Garland Dish Towel is now complete! Display it proudly in your kitchen or give as a thoughtful handmade gift.
